Letter: ‘That Jesus stuff’ anti-constitutional?

On Dec. 9, I went to the Oak Ridge City Council meeting to give the opening prayer at the beginning of the meeting. I am a minister with a new church here in Oak Ridge called Living Water Fellowship.

To the Editor:

On Dec. 9, I went to the Oak Ridge City Council meeting to give the opening prayer at the beginning of the meeting. I am a minister with a new church here in Oak Ridge called Living Water Fellowship.

Just minutes before the meeting began, I spoke with Council member Anne Garcia Garland who asked me why I was there dressed in a suit. I told her I was there to give the invocation. She said, “That’s good, but none of that Jesus stuff; it’s against the constitution.”

I replied, “It is not against the constitution.” She said, “Yes it is.” Then she walked off.

Minutes later, I stepped to the microphone and gave the prayer — ending it with a simple amen. I had planned to say, “in Jesus’ name, amen,” but after talking with her I didn’t. After I left, I felt very badly that I had not prayed as I intended, even though I did include Jesus in my prayer using other language.

What is wrong with this country that we are told by our leaders that we can no longer pray in Jesus name? There is no place in the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, or Bill of Rights that mentions “separation of church and state.” As a matter of fact the First Amendment contains the religion clauses which state: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

If I were a Muslim would she have told me, “None of that Allah stuff … ?”

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has been quoted as saying, “People who have religious beliefs ought to be able to invoke the deity when they are acting as citizens … when they do that, so long as all groups are allowed ... it seems to me an imposition upon them to stifle the manner in which they invoke their deity.”

Hence, FREEDOM.

Anderson County government has affirmed the Constitution with these words, “... the guardian of our liberties, embodies the principles of limited government …” A public City Council meeting is part of a “government, for the people and by the people.” As a government official you serve me, Anne; I don’t serve you.

Hence, protection of FREEDOM.

I know, I know. Someone threatened to sue the city over ministers using “Jesus” name in their prayers. In case you aren’t aware, these rights are easily defendable in court.

If prayers are allowed from all religions, which they are; and if our country protects religious expression, which it does; then each minister is allowed to give their prayer as they see fit. So why is it that a government official would attempt to erroneously restrict a gesture of goodwill such as a prayer? Further, why is it that only “Jesus” and his followers are being more and more restricted and persecuted?

I have an idea, Ms. Garland. Let’s ask the voters from Robertsville Baptist Church what they think. Let’s ask the voters from St. Mary’s Catholic Church what they think. Let’s ask the voters from Central Baptist Church, and Oak Ridge Family Bible Church, and Christ Community Church and … well you get the picture.